Shirou, who returned from the Fairy Kingdom

"why?"

Shirou asked instinctively.

The girl, who didn't even care about the Greater Grail that grants all wishes, now showed an expression of cherishing it more than anything, gently stroking the angel stigmata on her chest.

"Because this is born from a miracle... the bond between you and me."

Ai Ge said with a blissful expression.

I will never use Command Seals.

They didn't even want to reduce a single stroke.

Because right now, this is the only definite connection between us.

"understood."

Shirou reached out and buttoned up the girl's bare skin.

"Hey……"

"If Aika doesn't want to use Command Seals, I will respect your opinion."

"Wait...Saber!"

Sajō Aika was caught off guard by Shirō's words and was momentarily flustered, hurriedly cupping her burning cheeks.

“Saber, you’re so mean… Waaah…”

Shirou: "?"

--------------

Volume 5, Chapter 224: The Legend of the Holy Maiden's Laughter - Back Rubbing

As evening fell, Mordred, the Seikai Seikai, arrived at the inn where Shirou was staying, based on the address Shirou had previously provided.

"Father! I've come to play with you! Ahh ...

Shirou spread his five fingers and grasped the blonde girl's face.

"How many times have I told you, you're not allowed to call me Father... Do you understand?"

"No no no!"

The rebellious knight nodded repeatedly, and only then did Shirou let go.

Earlier today, the Thousand World Tree Clan sent a familiar to Shishikage Kairi with a letter, inviting them to travel to Mirenia City together.

After some discussion, the group decided that two Servants would go to the castle of the "Black" faction.

Sajyo Aika stayed behind to guard the Greater Grail, while Shishikage Kairi remained nearby to keep watch, and would use Command Spells to recall his Servants if anything happened.

Mordred somehow managed to get a car, and Shirou had just closed the door with one eye open when Jeanne, dressed in casual clothes, chased after them.

"Wait for me! I'm coming with you!"

Without saying a word, she opened the car door and forcefully pushed Shirou into the back seat.

Vlad III, the "Black" Lancer, and his master Darnic have become monsters (a threat to humanity) that are destroying the Holy Grail War.

At this stage, I believe the existing structure of "black" and "red" as opposing forces is no longer sustainable...

"Hey Artoria, aren't you thinking something pretty rude?"

"not at all."

Shirou shifted his astonished gaze from the saintess's round, full, and well-developed buttocks, and looked out the window with his chin in his hand.

"After yesterday's conversation with the assassins from 'Red,' I am even more convinced that something is wrong within the 'Red' camp."

Joan of Arc crossed her arms and spoke to herself with a smug look on her face.

"Therefore, although I, as a fair and impartial arbiter, do not intend to take sides, I still hope to assist you in your peaceful meeting with the 'Black' faction."

"Why are you putting on such a parental air? It's like we're troublemaking kids."

The girl in the driver's seat couldn't help but mutter to herself.

Ruler smiled kindly: "Did you say anything, Miss 'Red' Swordsman?"

Although Shirou was dissatisfied with Jeanne's attitude, he also agreed with what she said.

As she said, the current situation has moved beyond the stage of which faction will obtain the Holy Grail.

This Holy Grail War appears to be an independent war triggered by the Yggdrasil clan's rebellion against the Mage's Association, but there seems to be a deeper conspiracy hidden within.

anyway……

Shirou remembered the Command Seals that Sajou Aika had shown him that morning.

He had experience with the Holy Grail War twice, but this was the first time he had ever seen a Command Seal appear on his chest instead of on the back of his hand.

The shape of that one is... how should I describe it...?

Shirou frowned, thinking: Is that thing... really a Command Seal bestowed by the Holy Grail?

If only Machiri were here, wasn't the Command Seals system created by that guy?

As Shirou pondered, his gaze shifted to someone who had been suspiciously glancing at him ever since he got on the train.

"Ruler."

"Uh-huh!?"

Joan of Arc shuddered: "W-what's wrong... I-I wasn't peeking at you, don't flatter yourself! Artorius!"

"...I haven't said anything yet."

Joan of Arc: "Is that so?"

Shirou: "?"

What's wrong with this woman? She seemed distracted ever since she came home last night, glancing at me every now and then hurriedly looking away.

Shirou wondered if she had been cursed by the "Red" assassin.

"Okay...okay, what's the matter that you suddenly called me for?" Joan of Arc asked, patting her chest.

"Can you take your clothes off now?"

Shirou wanted to confirm the Command Seals behind Ruler.

"…………ah?"

Mordred and Joan of Arc cried out in alarm at the same time, and the car swerved sharply, nearly colliding with a large truck coming from the opposite direction.

"What are you saying all of a sudden! Of course, I can't take it off..."

It's broad daylight, and we're outside! How can we do such a shameless thing during the Holy Grail War...?

"Stop, stop making such offensive jokes! I'm going to tell Miss Aika!"

Is it okay to do it indoors at night?

Shirou said speechlessly, "Calm down, Ruler."

"I'm calm!"

Joan of Arc's face turned bright red, it was hard to tell whether she was angry or shy.

"No, you're not calm at all. Listen to me, it's not what you think..."

And Mordred, stop glancing in this direction with your rearview mirror and focus on driving.

"Yes~~~"

Mordred looked away, looking bored.

Jeanne d'Arc quickly regained her composure under Shirou's high-level "Charisma".

That's true... Artorius isn't the kind of womanizer, is he?

I must have misunderstood him.

Artorius must have had some other intention, but I misinterpreted it.

really...

If anything, it's Assassin's fault; he just had to say those weird things...

Saying I've fallen in love with Artorius? How could that be possible?!

My feelings for him... my feelings for this person are pure and innocent respect, that's right!

"Yes, I understand, I completely understand..."

"Understand what?"

"Cough cough."

Joan of Arc cleared her throat in a mocking manner, flashed a beautiful, businesslike smile, and began to speak in a steady tone.

"Alright, then please explain why you want me to take off my clothes here?"

“I want to see your body, Ruler.”

"..."

Joan of Arc slapped him across the face.

Fortunately, Shirou reacted quickly and bent down to dodge the blow.

"Don't hide!"

"No, no, no, it wouldn't matter if it were a weak girl, but if Ruler slapped me, my head would explode! I can already see that future! Like a watermelon on the beach!"

"Wow... As expected of Father! The highest level of 'Intuition' is amazing!" Mordred exclaimed, seemingly overjoyed.

Joan of Arc gritted her teeth, feeling as if she could tear Shirou apart at any moment.

"I'm so sorry I'm a steel gorilla!"

……

……

"What, so you wanted to see my Command Seals..."

The situation has finally been explained clearly.

Joan of Arc puffed out her cheeks: "If that's the case, why not explain it clearly instead of using such a misleading explanation?"

Shirou said helplessly, "I've been trying to explain, but you always interrupt me halfway through."

"Gu...!"

The blonde girl glared at him resentfully, then muttered, "Okay, okay, I'll take it off," before turning her back to Shirou.

"...Are you sure this is a very serious matter? If you dare to joke about it, I will definitely not let you off the hook."

"Ah."

Shirou nodded emphatically, then cast an urging glance his way.

Joan of Arc sighed as if resigned to her fate, and lowered her head to unbutton her clothes one button at a time.

"Really... this isn't my body, it's Leticia's... how am I going to explain this to that child..."

She was wearing a daring white sleeveless shirt underneath that revealed her back.

After the uniform fell onto the seat, the saintess turned her back to Shirou and used her hand to brush aside her long, golden, three-braided hair.

Thus, the girl's neck and back were exposed to the gaze of others without any cover.

"Hmm...don't stare so intently>////////"

"Ah."

Although Shirou verbally agreed, what he actually did was to put his face close to the object and examine it closely.

Upon seeing this, Joan of Arc let out a lovely, mournful cry and kicked Shirou's shoes.

On that bare back, as white and soft as fresh snow, are twenty-eight crimson strokes representing the absolute authority of the adjudicator.

These twenty-eight Command Seals constitute the highest privilege held by Ruler: "divine judgment."